FRUSTRATIONS
I have spent an incredible amount of time on this as well
including reading the white papers linked from
MSNMessenger help but still can't get audio to work when
both are behind routers. I have a port table that I am
working on but since I can't get a definitive answer
either I am reluctant to post it. However, I will post
the whitepaper links at the bottom.
Windows NetMeeting is real-time conferencing and
collaboration software. If NetMeeting is installed on
your computer, you can receive invitations to participate
in a NetMeeting conference through MSN Messenger.
However, Webcam and audio client to client connections
are possible inside of MSN Messenger 6 (MM6)without
NetMeeting.
OBSERVATIONS
There seems to be two camps forming regarding the use of
router/firewalls with MM6:
1) If your router supports UPnP, (and you are running
WinXP) then enable it and make sure your operating system
recognizes it in Network Connections (Internet Gateway)
and My Network Places (Linksys Router)(see posts by Lucky
One). Once it does, then you should not have to set up
any specific port forwarding in the router.
2) If your router does not support, or you have not
enabled UPnP, then you need to proceed with the maze of
mapped ports and protocols.
SUCCESSES & FAILURES
I am running XP Pro with ICF disabled. I have a Linksys
router (non UPnP firmware), static LAN IP, with
individual ports mapped/forwarded for everything from
Whiteboard, Text chat, Video, File Send, Audio, Remote
Assistance, etc to my LAN IP.
I have one friend running XP Pro on dialup with ICF
disabled and McAfee firewall installed. Our only
limitation is his connection speed as I am on broadband.
We have 2-way Webcam & audio communication, file send
both ways, play tic-tac-toe & checkers, etc. Whiteboard
and Remote assistance are strained on his 50kbps dial up
however, they attempt to start. Most importantly, voice
and video are perfect and we are on opposite sides of the
world!
I have another friend that has my exact configurations
(XP Pro & Linksys router). She and I have 2-way Webcam
but no Audio.
I have another friend that is running Win98 with the same
Linksys router configured identically. We share text and
presence but audio, video and whiteboard are dead.
CONCLUSIONS
I am no technical authority on this and all of my efforts
are the result of reading everything from
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/ to mIRC help files
to the kind and helpful posts in this group and just
trying one thing at a time. I think I am almost there.
IMHO, if you want this to work with a router and MM6, you
have to be running WinXP. You have to set up a static LAN
IP for your machine and you have to map/forward the ports
manually due to a number of concerns about UPnP security.
The problem as I see it now is that Audio dynamically and
randomly chooses a port between 5004 and 65535 (UDP).
Unless both the sender/iniator and the receiver have this
range of ports open, audio will not work. I think this is
a scary large range of ports to have open.
Hope this helps. Below are the links to the white papers:
Windows Messenger in Windows XP: Issues With Firewalls
and Network Address Translation Devices
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/deployment
/natfw/default.asp
Inside Windows Messenger - How it Communicates
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?
url=/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/insid01.asp?
frame=true
Look at the links at the bottom of the articles as well.
